---
name: "grdc"
section: "6"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/grdc"
---

# grdc(6)

grand digital clock (curses)

## NAME

**grdc** – grand digital clock (curses)

## SYNOPSIS

**grdc** \[**-st**\] \[*n*\]

**grdc** **-c** *n*

## DESCRIPTION

**grdc** runs a digital clock made of reverse-video blanks on a curses compatible VDU screen. With an optional numeric argument *n* it stops after *n* seconds (default never). The clock can act as a countdown timer with the **-c** flag, *n* specifies the number of seconds to time for. The optional **-s** flag makes digits scroll as they change. The optional **-t** flag tells grdc to output the time in a 12-hour format. In this curses mode implementation, the scrolling option has trouble keeping up.

## ENVIRONMENT

- TZ

  The time zone to use for displaying the time. It is normally specified as a pathname relative to */usr/share/zoneinfo*, though see [tzset(3)](/tzset/3.md) for more information. If this variable is not set, the time zone is determined based on */etc/localtime*.

## NOTES

In countdown timer mode, the specifying of **-n** \> 360000 seconds (100 hours) will lead to the counter displaying incorrect remaining time, however it will time correctly, and display correctly when the remaining time becomes less than 100 hours.

## AUTHORS

Amos Shapir, modified for curses by John Lupien. Countdown timer mode by Gavin Atkinson.